It's plain sailing by disabled people

The President’s Cup & Hansa 303 Irish National Championship

15 August 2017

Over fifty skippers and crew representing Connaught, Leinster, Munster and Ulster enjoyed fabulous conditions on Belfast Lough off Carrickfergus over the weekend 12-13 August competing for The President’s Cup and Hansa 303 Irish National Championship for sailors with disabilities.

We partnered with Carrickfergus Sailing Club and Carrickfergus Marina to organise this major sailing event, sponsored by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Abbey Insurance, Carrick Marine Projects, JP Corry, Survitec Group and Translink Staff Charity. A great time was enjoyed by all afloat and ashore; day – and night!

Team Munster successfully defended The President’s Cup, with Team Ulster achieving their best ever result in the event, coming second ahead of Leinster. The Ulster team comprised sailors from BLS and Foyle Sailability.

Best local results were from Kerry Mussen who won the Paralympic 2.4 Metre class, with Eoin Bannon, John Patrick and Bill Foster coming second only by a tiebreak sailing the Hawk 20 boat. Foyle Sailability’s Gary Crothers helmed the Ulster Squib with Foyle’s Ken Curry and BLS’s Rudi Summerville crewing.

Huge well done to Anne Taylor and her organising team – and our superb volunteers! And everyone who took part and made it all so much fun! And huge thanks to all our event sponsors and supporters!

This is the second major sailing championship organised at Carrickfergus by Belfast Lough Sailability with Carrickfergus Sailing Club. Judging from the positive reaction of visitors from near and far, it certainly will not be the last. Meanwhile, next year we have the delights of a trip to Galway Bay Sailing Club to look forward to.